Recently I contacted my friend, TKO, to ask him if he would be interested in being interviewed for an article on the Small Guy site. Of course he was down to do it because that’s my guy. Haha. My goal was to help people understand the artist behind the mic and what better time to complete the interview than around the 5.27.16 release of his new project titled The Shiddy Gene LP.
Visit TKO on BandCamp
Interview
SGP: How did you get started as an emcee?
TKO: I was a hip hop fan already at the time. I had a friend who would freestyle and the response to it was just so dope. I was like I can do that, so I started writing. Started recording soon after and for a decade I kept evolving, dedicating time to improving my wordplay, and delivery. I decided to experiment and turn mere rap songs into records. That is how a rapper becomes an emcee.
SGP: Who are your main influencers in music?
TKO: I started out influenced by Bone Thugs N Harmony. That was my original type of style but it didn’t fit me. Was more like a copycat, and not a good one at that. Eventually, I adapted my own style which is really a combination of many styles. From Pac, Mobb Deep, Canibus to Nas, 50 Cent and Joe Budden. I got influences from all of those artist’s work. But from spelling the name TKO like Tikayoh and naming my 4th album The Shiddy Gene LP, it’s easy to see I was really influenced by Eminem to want to be great.
SGP: What is your motivation to create?
TKO: I spent years just motivated to bettering myself and trying to be the total package. I was my motivation. I had no fans, except my brother. Today, my motivation comes from my hip hop peers, the possibility of music being a financial asset to my family and the diehard people I can actually call fans.
SGP: What is your goal with your music?
TKO: My goal is to be the best artist to ever come from Omaha, NE. My goal is for music to be a steady source of financial income for my family and my teams families. My goal is to assist the music scene in whatever way I can.
(TKO/Artist) Born and raised in Omaha, NE, TKO started writing music at age 15 but for the last 10 years wrote and recorded his own music with very little awareness. In the summer of 2013 he was pressured to push his music to the general public and has since made a small but increasing impact on the local hip hop scene.
SGP: What is your favorite track that you have made?
TKO: Easy. From a deeper more personal standpoint it would be “You”, which is a tribute to my 2 lovely daughters, and “You2”, which is the remix/sequel for my son. So 2 really, that are tied together. From a different more traditional hip hop standpoint, I haven’t made my best record yet. Its coming.
Listen to “You” here
SGP: Nowadays it seems like everyone wants to be on the mic. What are your thoughts and why do you feel like there is such a drive towards being a rapper/emcee?
TKO: new rapper is born everyday! Lol. Seriously, if you look at how I started, it can’t be much different in a lot of ways. The easy access to popularity for some, the idea of women interests a lot of would be artists as well. Some people are just naturally gifted but there are people who abuse it and this has over saturated hip hop in a bad way. With so many artists, the window of opportunity to really be successful gets smaller and smaller. Seems like everyone wants the rapper image as well.
SGP: What is your response to the idea that Hip Hop is too violent and that the genre could fall off?
TKO: The genre itself won’t fall off but its been on a steady decline when it comes to good timeless music. Party music and trap music is necessary. I enjoy it. But actual skill is somehow frowned upon in some circles (the trap rapper community mainly) in favor of less lyrical, street music. The violent aspect comes with the history of it being tied to hip hop via lyrics or action. Sometimes we can not control the actions of others but violence can walk up to your front door. Movies are violent. People die in theaters. Violence is everywhere but it shouldn’t be tied directly to hip hop. It’s an area where we do hurt but I blame the artists. You talk violence, violence occurs and then you mourn the dead. But you promote violence. So my job is to remove the opportunity of violence because that won’t get people to your event.
SGP: There seems to be some confusion around the proper term to describe this culture of music. In your words, what is Rap and what is Hip Hop?
TKO: People tend to get upset when being categorized but hip hop is the traditional idea of the culture. Dope, complex rhymes over a well paced beat. Graffiti, break dancing, freestyling ect. Rappers typically are not as lyrical, resorting to the tired clichés attached to gangster rap. I personally enjoy either and understand the entertainment value versus the real life threat of danger. But its common for an emcee to refer to an inferior lyricist as a rapper. Basically, rap is more commercialized, hip hop is more traditional.
SGP: What do you feel has been the key for your success so far?
TKO: The minor success I have had can be attributed to consistency. I have some of the best lyricists in the city in my corner, so that helps to be actually good. To be known as “good at what you do” never helps. I have been pretty standup to almost every artist and I conduct professional business which in turn allows regular business ventures. Being direct and catering to what my fans want and trying to evolve still to this day to give them a better product worth their hard-earned money is a huge priority. I think keeping a level, grounded head and understanding your real goals help you see the best way to approach each situation to make it a success. I surround myself with motivated, honest and hardworking artist regardless if they rap, sing, produce, promote, direct or take pictures (Jimmy Conover Photography plug.)
SGP: What advice would you offer to up and comers?
TKO: There isn’t a lot of advice to give in hip hop with the way people receive things. Rappers are sensitive. No one wants constructive criticism or advice. The new school are being raised on a different animal as well. I don’t understand today’s music. I grew up during the perfect time in hip hop in my eyes. That essence still exists in pockets and no matter what gets said in a record, hip hop is very much alive. But for young artists, the chance to assist still exists and my only piece of advice would be to strive to be the best. Not the hottest, the toughest, the flashiest or any of that. Be the best, keep setting the example of how to be an emcee by being better. Just do better. Or work with me, so I can retire.
I was excited for this interview and I truly hope that I have done justice for bringing TKO’s vision to the forefront. If you enjoyed this read be sure to keep an eye out for more interviews to come. Feel free to leave feedback on this article. Thank you for reading!
Follow TKO on
Twitter: @tikayoh
Facebook: TKO
Special thanks to TKO
Photos by Jimmy Conover Photography and Randy Edwards Photos, LLC
Interview by Small Guy Promotions
